PJ: ‘‘I’d like to improve the spectator facilities and capacity of the ground... probably some form of terracing, but we haven’t come to a conclusion of what that would look like.

“It will be part of the design of the oval because obviously, if you’re reconstructing the oval it’s going to encompass the surrounds, so we have to take that into account with spectator sight levels and so forth.

“In addition to that, we’re also applying for an additional $200,000 through the Country Football Netball Program, which would also go to that same type of amenities and spectator facilities.

“When I say amenities, it’s things like the kiosk, scoreboard... things that assist with running an event of a higher scale.’’

LW: When do you expect to get an answer on the state government funding?

PJ: “We’ve got to have the application in for the state money by August 18. I’d expect given the election timelines we’d get a fairly quick response on that.’’

LW: Getting back to the surface upgrade, which has obviously been the major talking point for a number of years now, when can you envisage a start date for the project?

PJ: “The process is we’ll finalise the detail design hopefully, by August 6, and we’ll then advertise for a tender in mid-August.

“We’d have to allow probably three weeks to allow tenders to get in, we’d then assess them over probably the course of a week.

“We’d then have to go to a council forum to flag what our (tender) recommendation would be.

“So probably at the September 29 council meeting we could be going there recommending the appointment of the contractor, which would mean all things going well, we could look at a construction commencement of October.’’

LW: What can you tell us about possible alterations to the shape of the oval?

PJ: “We’re asking for two designs – one on the current shape and one on a new shape.

“So once we get those tenders in and understand the cost of each we would then be able to make a decision on what fits in with the budget and what’s the most appropriate design.

“There’s a couple of reasons we’re considering a change to the oval shape.

“One is to increase the spectator capacity, and people could argue that you can stand and watch at the moment, but we want to bring it up to a state-level facility that can host any type of sporting event.

“For that to happen, you really need spectator facilities, not just a hill.

“The other is ongoing costs. If we keep it as is, there’s ongoing maintenance costs with turf management, mowing, water costs and so on.

“But by altering the shape, it would significantly reduce those maintenance costs.

‘’We’ve had discussions with the QEO users themselves, but our mind is not made up on it.’’

LW: Do you know yet what the new surface will consist of?

PJ: “We’re still seeking advice on that.

“What we are doing is we have been in contact with representatives from Skilled Stadium, which has proven to be a very successful surface and is a very similar project to what we’re doing in terms of size and timelines.

“We’ll be looking at warm-season grass because we want the ground to be water-efficient, but to also look nice and green all year round, so we’ll be certainly mixing it with some sort of winter grass, probably rye.’’

LW: Will there be drop-in cricket wickets?

PJ: “We’re asking for the options of drop-in wickets. Again, that will come down to we’ve got to consider the budget we’ve got.

“But once we get the tenders in we will assess that.’’

LW: If everything goes to plan and the resurfacing starts in October, how long before you envisage football being played on the ground?

PJ: “I don’t think we’d get on until June next year. That’s judging on Ballarat’s experience (with Eureka Stadium) and also Skilled Stadium.

“And while we don’t have the infrastructure set up at the moment, we will have two football ovals at Epsom that will be ready for the start of next season.’’

LW: Will those new ovals at Epsom have enough facilities built in time to possibly host BFL matches next year that would have been played at the QEO?

PJ: ‘‘There’s basically going to be two brand new ovals and temporary changerooms, but certainly, we would be considering some temporary infrastructure to get us through the season.

“We will need to sit down with the BFL and other leagues to see exactly what their needs are.’’